A robust copper mesh-based superhydrophilic/superoleophobic composite for high-flux oil–water separation

With the fast growing of oily contaminants, continuous oil/water separation with high flux is in demand. Superhydrophilic/superoleophobic composites are considered as ideal candidates. In this work, the oil–water separation composite is from superhydrophilic copper mesh coated by robust superhydrophilic/superoleophobic paint based on fluorine-containing epoxy resin. Firstly, a superhydrophilic/superoleophobic coating with excellent comprehensive properties was prepared through hydrophilic epoxy and superhydrophilic/superoleophobic TiO 2 . Then copper mesh was treated into being superhydrophilic, and the superhydrophilic/superoleophobic coating was sprayed on the superhydrophilic copper mesh to obtain oil–water separation material. As a result, the oil–water separation efficiency of the separation material is higher than 99.7%, the water flux is higher than 80,000 L m −2  h −1 , and it has excellent mechanical properties. The oil–water separation material is promising for the applications.